WOW! Morant + Zion! Pelicans' trade plan revealed

What would it be like if the 2019 double busts—no, the first and second picks—teamed up?

Up to now, Morant has participated in 327 regular-season games across seven seasons, averaging approximately 47 games per season; Zion has played 246 regular-season games in seven seasons, with an average of about 35 games each season.

Recently, journalist ScoopB reported thatthe Pelicans are aggressively pursuing Morant and have discussed multiple trade options with the Grizzliesas follows:

1. Trade Poole + Murray for Morant + Pope;

2. Trade Poole + Looney for Morant;

3. Trade Poole + Hawkins + Little Jordan for Morant.

Poole: Do I really have to leave?

This guy has played 28 games for the Pelicans this season with 6 starts, averaging 25.4 minutes, 14.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 37% overall, 33.6% from three, and 87.6% from the free-throw line.

Last offseason, the Pelicans traded CJ McCollum, Olynyk, and a future second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the 40th pick in the 2025 draft.

The Pelicans originally had high hopes for Poole, but he ultimately disappointed by not meeting expectations, so naturally, they are ready to move on.

Back to the point, the Morant + Zion duo is certainly exciting, as both were once seen as the new faces of the NBA. However, their stagnant or even regressive skills combined with fragile health have made outsiders skeptical about their ability to lead the Pelicans to success; the management seems more interested in trading them for ticket sales.

So far this season, Morant is averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists, shooting 41% overall and 23.5% from three, marking his lowest scoring average in five seasons and career lows in both field goal and three-point percentages; Zion is averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals, with a shooting percentage of 57.9%, also his career-low scoring average.

Currently, the Grizzlies stand at 18 wins and 25 losses, ranked 11th in the Western Conference, two games behind the 10th-place Clippers; the Pelicans are last in the West with a 12-36 record, the third worst in the league, holding a 14% chance at the number one draft pick, although their 2026 first-round pick belongs to the Hawks.